Starting a Revolution with Alden McCoy
Interview ★ Kenzie Gay★ @kenzwrites★ 5 Minutes
We live in a time where the idea of a genre can often be deemed as insignificant or even confining to many creatives. Before my time as a music journalist when I was just some angsty indie kid listening to Briston Maroney, Wallows, and Current Joys, I used to turn my nose up at the notion of people who don’t stick to genres. I didn’t get it. I arguably still don’t. When someone tells me they listen to “everything” I have trouble imagining that since I stick to my big three of rock, folk, and indie/alternative, but it is possible and it also makes for some really interesting, diverse music unlike anything that’s been done before, which brings me to singer/songwriter Alden McCoy.
Recently, I discovered McCoy (he/they) along with several other artists at Kilroy’s Garage, a DIY music venue on the West side of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Though short, his set really opened my eyes to two things: the local scene and the fact that music, that art, knows no bounds. I got the chance to talk with them recently about their music and experiences with performance, politics, and more.
Alden McCoy via Julian Cerqueira
You recently played Kilroy’s Garage in Grand Rapids alongside The Westside, Mac N’ Toss, The Frogs and Toads, and Dream Demon. How was that experience?
Amazing! Everyone was so welcoming and encouraging! Especially Mac N Toss, they were especially cool, (I think it was Devon who fixed my amp mid song after someone kicked it by accident). I was nervous about using my 4-track recorder as my backing track for fear that something might go wrong mid-song or that people wouldn't be able to hear it but the members of Mac N Toss helped me with my soundcheck and assured me everything would be fine!
You are currently based in the Grand Rapids area. How does living here influence you?
I moved to Grand Rapids in August of 2023 and in those two years I've played in a few bands and gone out on my own. Since I've moved here I have seen so many amazing bands from around West Michigan that have motivated me to get out and play. Not just because they inspire me to do so but because they make it look very accessible! These people are celebrities to me but just regular people off stage. Being from a small town with little to no opportunities to play music live for people, being in an area with a thriving live music scene has encouraged me to make the most of my situation and play as much as possible!
What genre or genres of music would you categorize your music as?
I make music for people who say they listen to everything.
One of my biggest influences is the band Ween and one of the things they did was never adhered to one genre per project, often switching genres song to song. So in my music I try to make as many genres as I can going as far as to learn multiple instruments and take up djing as a means to express what can't be played on a guitar.
So to answer your question. It's a tough question but I find myself making electronic, folk, punk, pop, jazz.
What do you do outside of music that may or may not contribute to your style and sound?
I fix my clothes, all my gear is second hand. I watch the news religiously and attend protests. My music doesn't exist in a vacuum, it is my life and my experience. Everything I do from waking up and cooking breakfast to checking my phone obsessively influences and inspires my music. Emotional distress helps a lot as well, feelings of loneliness and jealousy have contributed to some of my best work.
What do you hope listeners/fans take away from your music?
I hope people can feel the emotions I'm trying to convey in my music whether it's anger, confusion, sadness or joy. I hope that I can connect with people and let them know they're not alone in feeling the way they do.
Plus maybe starting a revolution would be cool too.
What are your thoughts/feelings/opinions on DIY culture in the context of music and performance?
I've grown up going to diy shows with my parents in basements, garages and parks. And in my 20s I've been absolutely adoring the inclusivity of the punk/diy scene. Minus some hardcore shows, the diversity of sound is something to behold. Kilroy’s is a great example. I've seen people stick up for others in sketchy situations. The community at large is very healthy, there may be some in fighting and past relationships gone bad with certain people but for the most part people stick together and help each other out!
I can't talk about Michigan diy without mentioning StoopFest! StoopFest is a two day volunteer run music festival in East Lansing that mostly does folk-punk. Last year I had the time of my life seeing so many cool artists and meeting such cool people. Shout-out Possum, Aquinnah, and Landon! But that community was so fun and even though I didn't know anybody going into the festival I left with friends and a large Spotify playlist!
Where do you hope to see your music career in ten years?
If we're not all dead by then, I'd like to be able to go on tour and make enough money to quit my day job! I'd like to do well enough that I can hire my friends and help other artists get the exposure they deserve.
Are there any solid plans for upcoming projects in the works? (new music, shows, music video, mini tour, etc.)
I have an album coming out soon called "4 track". It's a collection of songs I recorded on my Yamaha MT400 tape recorder between 2023 and 2025. All the songs were recorded in my bedroom with a drum machine (alesis sr-16), synth (microkorg), guitar, and bass all played by myself.
A lot of the songs are about being single and people being toxic. It explores a lot of different genres such as, indie, synth pop, grunge and there's even a toy keyboard ballad called "text me back". Other than that, I have a whole album worth of material that I need to record so I might go to an actual studio and record it! keep an eye out because I'm bound to be playing more shows around West Michigan in the coming months!!
